Spraying apparatus



J. L. BRANN, JR

May 4, 1954 SPRAYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 7. 1950 May 4, 1954 J. L. BRANN, JR

SPRAYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 7, 1950 jrzvizldf' MIW J. L. BRANN, JR

SPRAYING APPARATUS May 4,1954

5 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Filed April I, 1950' May 4, 195% J. L. BRANN, JR 2,6775% SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed April 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 av j w [I], l 1,? 56 Q y y 1954 J. L. BRANN, JR 2,677,576

SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed April 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patentecl May. 1954 STATES PATENT DFFICE SPRAYING APPARATUS James Lewis Brann, Jr., Ithaca, N. Y.

Application April 7, 1950, Serial No. 154,573

Claims. 1

The invention relates to spraying equipment and more particularly to equipment oi! the type used in concentrated mist spraying.

During the growing process oi fruits and other crops it is necessary to apply chemical agents thereto to prevent injury by insects and diseases. Fertilizers and hormones are also often applied to plants by progressive growers to control the plants growth and development. Until recently applications of such materials have been made by means of high pressure sprayers using a rel atively small amount of active chemical material dissolved or suspended in water orby means oi clusters dispersing an inactive solid carrier having the active chemical mired therewith. It has now been found that it is possible to apply these active chemicals to certain crops at concentrations of from it to 100 times as high as is used in the older techniques by injecting a concentrated solution (or suspension) oi. the chemical material into an air stream which carrice the solution onto the foliage of the plant being treated. By using this new technique it is possible to obtain satisfactory results when using to the total amount of liquid per unit of crop treated required by the high pressure spraying technique; and in some cases it is possible to obtain equivalent or superior results with less active chemical.

Objects of this invention are to provide spraying apparatus which will apply active chemical agents or materials upon foliage in the form of a mist by means of a jet or stream of air, which provides a spray pattern having a conical envelope, which simultaneously sprays a large area, which automatically regulates the amount of chemical material introduced into the air stream so that greater amounts of material are injected in the portion of the spray pattern directed towards the upper parts of the envelope, which is compact and portable, which requires a single operator, which has a self-contained power unit, which carries a large amount of active chemical material, which is simple in design, which is attractive and pleasing in appearance, and which requires a minimum of maintenance.

In a broad aspect the invention contemplates a prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, arranged to drive an air blower. Conduit means are connected to the outlet of the blower to direct the air discharge therefrom in a path or locus having a conical envelope, for example by moving the conduit and in an orbital path, thus increasing the area covered thereby. Nozzle means is positioned in the air jet to inject active chemical material into the conical air jet, either in solution or in suspension, so that the jet distributes the chemical material over the area included therein.

In another aspect the outlet of the blower is connected to a turret which is revolved by means of power taken from the blower or otherwise. Projecting from the turret are a plurality of all directing nozzles arranged so that rotation of the turret moves the nozzles orbitally to direct the jets of air therefrom in a path having a conical envelope. Positioned in each of the nozzles is an injection nozzle for injecting active chemical material into the jet so that the material is distributed by the air.

In a more specific aspect the amount of active material supplied to the respective injection noz zles is varied with respect to the position of the corresponding air nozzles by means, such as a distribution valve positioned in the conduit means, connecting the reservoir or tank holding the supply of active material and the injection nozzles. Preferably the conduit means includes a pump and a portion of pipe or tubing with its axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the turret. The distribution valve is at the end oi the pipe and is connected to the various injection nozzles by flexible conduits such as hoses. The distribution pattern of the active material in the envelope may be varied relatively with respect to the remainder of the apparatus by means which adjustably rotate the pipe or tube and the distribution valve connected thereto.

In another aspect the apex angle of the conical envelope is adjustable, the air discharge nozzles being each provided with a yieldable portion and the respective movable ends thereof connected respectively to the distribution valve by mechanical links such as turnbuckles. Means are provided for axially moving the tube or pipe supporting the distribution valve so that the eflective diameter of the orbit of the air discharge nozzles is changed thus varying the apex angle of the spray pattern envelope. Preferably the upwardly projecting angle of the turret is changed with variations in the apex angle of the spray pattern envelope, either conjointly by means of interconnected controls or separately by manually operated means so that the lowest portion of the spray pattern is maintained in the same relative position with respect to the terrain in all positions of the air discharge nozzles.

In a further aspect the invention contemplates a spray nozzle for injecting the solution of active chemical material in the air stream comprismember.

3 ing two telescoping members carrying respectively a valve seat and a mating valve surface. Preferably the seat and mating surface are conical so that the fluid is discharged outwardly into the air stream with a conical spray pattern. The members are biased in telescoped relationship by means of a spring thereby to bring the valve surface and the seat into closing contact. Means are provided for introducing fluid under pressure through one of the members into contact with the other member so that the latter member moves against the biasing force of the spring thus opening the valve to discharge the solution.

In one specific aspect the nozzle comprises a hollow outer member having a partition dividing its interior into two cavities. The portion of the outer member closing the portion of one or the cavities opposite the partition forms a valve seat carried upon the end of a hollow inner member which telescopes within the cavities in the outer A spring located in the other cavity is interposed between the partition and a projecting portion from the inner member, such as a snap ring, thereby telescoping the members to bring the valve surface into closing contact with the valve seat. The inner member has a passage extending through its wall to connect the interior thereof with the cavity adjacent the valve surface so that fluid under pressure introduced through the hollow inner member moves the outer member against the spring biasing force to open the valve.

In another specific aspect the valve comprises a hollow outer member having a valve seat at one end thereof for mating with a valve surface carried upon a telescoping inner member. The outer member has an apertured partition which divides the interior into twocavities. A spring is located in one of the cavities so that it is interposed between the partition and a projecting portion of the inner member to maintain the members in telescoped relationship with the valve surface in closing contact with the valve seat. A passageway is provided in the outer member for connecting the spring cavity with a supply of fluid under pressure which fluid passes through the apertured partition moving the inner member against the spring biasing force thus opening the valve.

Further objects will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the spray apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a partial end view showing the blower and air distribution turret;

Fig. 3 is a partial side view showing the end of the turret;

Fig. 4 is an end view in partial section showing the turret driving mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in partial section showing the control mechanism for the distribution valve;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the distribution valve;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 'I'I of Fig. 6; i

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of one embodiment of an injection nozzle;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of an injection nozzle;

Fig. 10 is an end view in partial section showing an alternative method of rotatably supporting the turret;

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the blower, drive;

Fig. 12 is an end view in partial section showing 4 another embodiment wherein the turret is moved to compensate for changes in the position of the air discharge nozzles;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view in partial section showing the mechanism for moving the turret; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view showing the details of the drumand controls therefor illustrated in Fig. 13.

Referring to Fig. 1, the spray apparatus illustrated comprises a frame it of structure members whereupon is supported a tank II which is a reservoir for the active chemical material to be sprayed, and a prime mover such as the internal combustion engine l2 for driving a conventional compressed air blower I! by means of a multiple V-belt drive shown in Fig. 11 and described in detail below. The frame it is mounted upon a pair of pneumatically tired wheels ll so that the apparatus can be towed by a truck or tractor by means of a draw bar It. A platform i8 is provided at the forward end of the frame I0 for the operator to stand upon when the tank H is being filled as will be described hereinafter.

As is shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the blower l3 comprises a shaft i9 carrying a bladed impeller 20 which is surrounded by an involute shaped housing or scroll 22. Rotation of the, impeller 20 by the engine l2, draws air into the impeller 20 through an inlet screen 24 and discharged upon being compressed out through the involute housing 22. From the housing 22 the air passes into a rotatable head or turret 25 having three equally spaced air discharge nozzles 26 angularly projecting therefrom so that as the turret 25 is rotated the streams or jets of air from the nozzles form an envelope having a conical configuration.

As is best illustrated in Fig. 4, the turret 25 is preferably rotated by means of energy taken from the air delivered by the compressor [3 although it is to be understood that it is also possible to supply the rotational torque directly from the engine l2 through a speed reducing mechanical drive or independently of the engine by means of a suitable electric motor. The driving mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4 for accomplishing the rotation of the turret 25 comprises an auxiliary housing 2| bolted or otherwise secured to the top of the compressor housing 22. R0- tatably mounted upon a shaft 2! journaled in the housing 28 is a wheel I. having a plurality of radially extending vanes or blades I2. The wheel '2. is positioned so that the lower portion thereof extends through an aperture 33 in the top of the compressor housing 22. The blades 32 secured to. such lower wheel portion project into the air stream from the compressor I! thus applying a rotational force to the wheel 30. A pulley 34 mounted on the shaft 20 is coupled to a pulley ll upon the input shaft of a speed reduced unit a by means of a V-belt ll. The output shaft of the speed reducer 2| carries a small sprocket 42 which is in turn connected by means of a driving chain M to a large ring gear 48 (Fig. 2) disposed circumiacent the trunk portion 30 of the turret 2! so that the air flow resulting from the operation or the compressor "drives the wheel 3' to rotate the turret 25. The speed reducer ll is mounted upon a platform 15 one end of which is fastened to the top of the housing 22. The other end of' the platfo m is supported by a threaded pin or rod 3'! adjustment of which moves the platform thereby varying the tension in the chain 44.

The trunk 39 of the turret 25 has welded'to the end thereof a sleeve 4| with a flange which rotatably engages a circular recess in the end of a collar 43 attached" to the outlet portion of the blower housing 22. Axial separation of the sleeve 41 and the collar 43 is prevented by four equally spaced straps or fingers 45.

An alternative means of rotatably supporting the turret 26, which has been found to reduce appreciably the friction between the turret and the blower housing 22, is shown in Fig. 10. A hollow shaft 240 is positioned circumjacent the conduit 68 by means of four equally spaced webs 242. The webs 242 are bolted to four angle pieces 244 which are in turn welded to the inside of theblower housing 22 so that the shaft 240 is supported by the housing and not upon the conduit 68.

It should be noted that in the several modifications herein disclosed the same numbers are used to designate parts that are substantially identical and common to the different views. Also, for simplicity and to avoid confusion, I have used the same numeral 25 to designate the turrets of Figs. 4, 10, and 12 since generally speaking they function the same and may be driven by any suitable conventional gear and chain drive such as that shown in Figs. 2 and 4 by reference numerals 44 and 46. Also, while I have shown in-Fig. 2 an air-operated drive for the chain 44 any suitable conventional drive can be used to drive the chain to rotate the turret 25.

The end of the shaft 240 which projects beyond the webs 242 is reduced in diameter to accommodate two spaced needle bearings 245. The bearings 245 carry a rotatable spider 246 being enclosed in a cylindrical tube 248 which is the central structure member of the spider. Extending radially from the tube 248 to support an annular outer member 250 are a plurality of equally spaced webs 252. The annular member 250 is of substantially the same diameter as the outlet portion of the blower housing 22 and is connected thereto by means of an air seal comprising a felt ring 254 which is riveted to the outer surface of the housing 50 that it is in forcible contact with a retainer strip 256 secured to the adjacent end of the annular member 250.

The opposite end of the annular member is provided with a recess wherein is secured the end of the turret trunk 39. The turret 25 is maintained in engagement with the annular member 250 by means of several screws 252 each of which projects through the notch in a respective bifurcated pece 260 welded to the outer surface of the trunk 39 to engage a threaded aperture in a correlated block 262 welded to the outer surface of the an nular member 25E.

The turret end of the tube 2&8 is provided with a hardened steel thrust washer 2M mounted circumjacent the shaft 2% so that it is in contact with a similarly mounted thrust bearing 26b of oil impregnated sintered metal. The spider 2% and the thrust bearing 26$ are maintained in position by means of a nut 262 which engages threads cut upon the end of the shaft Mt. The nut 2% is locked by means of a set screw 2W. it sealing cap 2l2 secured by a set screw 2% prevents the leakage of grease from the opposite end of the spider tube 248.

Each of the air discharge nozzles 26 comprises a straight portion it (Fig. 3) connecting at one end with the trunk 29 of the turret 25 and at the other end with a convergent portion it by means of a collapsible sleeve or bellows 52 (Fig. 2) made of a yieldable material such as rubber treated canvas. The relative position of the straight and convergent nozzle portions 48 and 50 is adjustably maintained by means of two hinged brackets 54.

Each bracket 54 comprises a fixed member 56 secured to the side of the straight nozzle portion 48 and provided with an ofl'set at the end of which is pivotally fastened an arm 62 extending from a movable member 58. The member 58 has a saddle portion 60 mounted circumferentially upon the convergent nozzle portion 50. Extending outwardly from each end of the saddle portion 60 is one of the arms 62 which pivotally connects with a respective fixed member 56 as described above, so that the respective pivotal points are disposed adjacent opposed sides of the bellows 52.

The saddle 60 is also provided with an eye 64 (Fig. 2) wherein is pivotally connected one end of an adjustable link such as a turnbuckle 65. The opposite end 01 the turnbuckle 65 is similarly connected to an eye or aperture i28 (Fig. 6) of a distribution valve 66 whose function will be described in detail below. As will be readily appreciated from the above, outward movement of the valve 66 along the axis of rotation of the turret 25 towards the right moves the nozzle portions outwardly to increase the apex angle of the cone envelope traced by the air streams from the nozzles and conversely movement of the valve 66 inwardly decreases the cone apex angle thereby to decrease the area sprayed.

The valve 66 is fastened by means of a pipe union 61' (Fig. 4) to the end of a conduit til whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation of the tur-. ret 26. The conduit 68 extends through a sealing gland 69 into the compressor housing 22 and out through an aperture in the opposite side of the housing into a gear box Ill secured to the side of the housing. The conduit 68 is journaled in a strap l2 which extends between two opposed vertical sides of the box it. Two small structural 4 angle pieces id are welded at one of their respective ends to the strap 12 and at their other ends to the rear of the box it. A rack is guided betweenthe angle pieces it and is suspended from the conduit 63 by means of two collars it which are tack welded to the respective ends of the rack. Two similar collars it and it are secured by means of set screws (not shown) to the conduit 68 adjacent the collars it with a ball thrust bearing interposed between each pair of adjacent collars so that longitudinal movement of the rack 55 results in a corresponding axial movement of the conduit 68, but permits rotation of the con.- duit while the rack is restrained by the angle pieces it.

The rack it is moved longitudinally by rotation of a gear 22 whose teeth engage corresponding teeth upon the bottom of the rack. The gear 32 is fastened to a shaft at which is journaled in bearing bosses 86 in the respective sides of the box iii. One end of the shaft tit extends through the box wall to engage one end of an arm tit. The opposite end of the arm ht supports a handle ilii (Fig. 2) having a spring loaded pin which selectively engages one of a plurality of apertures 9! arranged about the shaft at as a double quadrant in a boss upon the end wall of the gear box it.

As will be readily appreciated from the above, movement of the arm 88 changes the angle the axes of the respective nozzles 26 make with the axis of rotation of the turret 25, the adjusted position being maintained by the detent action In the above described embodiment, an increase in the apex angle of the conical spray pattern also results in the downward directing of the lower portion of the pattern thereby tending to distribute the spray upon the terrain where it is wasted. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 this undesirable condition is overcome by manually adjusting the angle the lower portion of the conical spray pattern makes with the terrain and automatically maintaining this angl by conjointly increasing the angle the axis of the turret makes with the terrain as the apex angle of the spray pattern is increased.

The turret illustrated in Fig. 12 is similar to that in Fig. 10, the trunk 88 thereof being se cured to the annular member 288 by means of the screws 288. The annular member 288 is carmed by the webs 282a of a spider 248a which is rotatably journaled upon a shaft supported by the webs 242a in an analogous manner to that in which the spider 248 (Fig. is journaled as has been described in detail heretofore. The webs 242a and 282a perform similar functions to the webs 242 and 282 but are difierent in shape to I reduce the overall length of the turret support.

The outer ends of the webs 242a are welded to a tubular member 288 which ispivotally connected to arms 282 extending from the outlet portion of the blower housing 22. An air tight connection between the member 288 and the blower outlet is provided by a flexible portion of conduit 284 made for example of rubber reinforced with steel wire so that the angular relationship between the axes of the tubular member 28 and the outlet portion of the blower housing 22 can be varied. The conduit 88 is provided with a flexible portion 288, for example of rubber so that it does not interfere with the pivotal motion.

The desired relation between the blower outlet and the tubular member 288 is maintained by means of a cable 288 one end of which is connected by means of a turnbuckle 288 to an eye 288 extending from the top of the tubular member. The cable 288 passes over idler rolls 282 and 284 rotatably secured to the top of the housing 22 and the gear box 18 respectively and thence toadrum 288 (Fig-13).

As is best shown in Fig. 4, the drum 288 is carried upon a hollow shaft 288 which is journaled at one end in a boss 288 in the wall of the gear box I8 and disposed circumjacent the shaft 84 carrying the arm 88 (Fig. 2) for adjusting the apex angle of the spray pattern.- The shafts 84 and 288 are maintained in coaxial relationship by means of two spaced bushings 888 which permit relative rotational movement between the shafts.

The end of the shaft 288 extending through the bushing 288 carries a manually operated handle or arm 882. From the foregoing description it will be evident that movement of the arm 382 winds or unwinds the cable 288 from the drum 288 thereby raising orlowering the turret. The turret may be locked in the position wherein the bottom portion of the spray pattern bears the desired spacial relationship to the terrain by means of a spring loaded pin 384. The pin 884 extends through an aperture in the shaft 288 to engage selectively recesses in the outer periphery of a head 888 upon the end of the shaft 84.

When the shaft 84 is locked by the pin upon the end of the arm 88 (Fig. 2) as described above, the pin 884 holds the drum 285 and the turret in a fixed position, such pin, however, not being used in the first form of the invention shown in Fig. 2. If the arm 88 is operated to move the air discharge nozzles 28, it will be evident that the drum 288 will be rotated comointly thereby changing the position of the turret 28. The cable 288 is wound upon thekirum 288 in such a direction that the turret is raised as the air discharge nozzles 28 are moved outwardly by the arm 88, the diameter of the drum being made such that upward movement of the turret exactly compensates for the downward shift of the spray pattern due to the outward movement of the air nozzles so that the bottom portion of the pattern maintains a constant relationship with respect to the terrain.

In Fig. 11 are schematically shown the multipl V-belt drives coupling the engine I2 with the blower impeller 28 and a pump 82 for supplying the active chemical material as will be described below. Two sheaves 88 and 88 are secured to a shaft 81 which is selectively coupled to the output shaft of the engine I2 by a conventional clutch (not shown) brought into engagement to energize the drives by means of a lever 288 (Fig. 1). The larger driving sheave 88 is coupled by multiple V-belts 88 with a driven sheave I8I secured to the impeller shaft I8 of the blower I8.

The smaller driving sheave 88 is coupled by a set of multiple V-belts I88 with a large multiple groove sheave I81 carried upon a shaft I88. The shaft I88 extends through the forward wall of the tank II to connect with an agitator (not shown) which may be of any conventional type such as are used in spray apparatus to prevent the active chemical material from sinking to the bottom of the tank. A second set of multiple V-belts 288 connects the sheave I81 with a small sheave 281 on the inputshaft of the pump 82.

The inlet port of the pump 82 is connected directly to the tank H. The pump discharged is directed through a pressure regulating valve 84 (Fig. 1) and a quick shut-off valve 88 into a flexible hose 88. The quick shut-off valve 88 is controlled by a push rod I88 which extends over the top of the tank II so that it can be grasped by the operator riding upon the towing tractor.

The pump discharge pressure is indicated by a gauge I82 connected in the discharge line between the regulating valve 84 and the shut-off valve 88. From the shutoif valve 88 the hose 88 extends to an elbow I84 (see also Fig. 4) which connects with a T I88 in the conduit 88 by means of a nipple I88. The end of the conduit 88 is blocked by a cap I 88 sothat the solution discharged from the pump is forced up the conduit into the distribution valve 88. s

The valve 88 (Fig. 6) comprises a hollow shaft II8, the lower end of which has an external pipe thread for en aging the threads of the union 81 coupling the valve to the conduit 88. Two shoulders II2 are provided upon the shaft I I8 against which bear the respective inner races of two ball bearings H4 and II8. The outer races of the bearings fit within a recess II8 in the lower portion of a valve housing II8 so that the housing is free to rotate with respect to the shaft II8. The upper bearing H4 is maintained in position by a shoulder I28 in the recess II8 which engages the outer race of the bearing. The inner race of the lower bearing I I8 is pinched between the shaft shoulder H2 and a cover plate I22 secured to the bottom of the housing I I8 by means of screws I24. The cover plate I22 has cast integrally therewith three ears I28 each having 9 an aperture I28 therein forming an eye for engaging the pin of a respective turnbuckle 55 connecting with a correlated convergent nozzle portion 50 as described in detail heretofore.

The upper portion of the housing H is provided with a recess Ill which is separated from the lower recess II5 by means of a partition or wall I32 having an aperture therein to accommodate the end of the shaft III. An O-ring I34 of yieldable material, such as synthetic rubber, is retained in a circumferential recess on the shaft IIO so that the outer circumference of the ring bears against the side of the aperture in the wall I32 thereby to provide a fluid-tight seal between the recesses III and I".

The upper recess I" is closed by means of a cap I55 which is secured to the top of the housing H8 by means of screws I58. A dowel pin I39, maintains the position of the cap I35 constant with respect to the housing I I5 and prevents improper assembly thereof. A fluid-tight seal between the cap I35 and the housing H5 is insured by an O-ring I40 retained in a recess in the can so that it bears against the wall of the housing recess 930. Near the upper end of the shaft III) are two radially disposed apertures I42 drilled at right angles to one another to connect with an axial recess I44 in the shaft so that the solution of active chemical material delivered to the conduit (it by the pump, as described heretofore, is forced through the recess I44 and the apertures Itz into the recess I50.

As is shown in Fig. 7, the bottom of the cap I36 has three equally spaced triangular recesses or ports I45 arranged with their respective apexes extending outwardly at equal distances from the centerline of the shaft III). The recesses M5 each connect with a respective recess I45 (Fig. 6) having a pipe thread tapped or otherwise cut therein for connecting with a male connector upon one end of a flexible hose I 48 (Fig. 2) The other end of each of the hoses I48 has a male connector which engages a threaded aperture in a boss extending from the'saddle piece 80 of a respective nozzle 25. As is best shown in Fig. 4, the boss aperture extends through the wall of the convergent nozzle portion 50 to engage one end of a conduit I49. The conduit I49 extends to the axis of the nozzle portion 50, at which location is bent normally so that its end projects towards the open end of the nozzle portion 5i). The projecting end of the conduit M9 carries 'an injection nozzle I513 which will be described in detail hereinafter.

From the above it will be evident that the solution in the recess I30 of the valve 65 will be distributed through the ports I45, the hoses I48 and the conduits I49 to the three injection nozzles I56) disposed respectively in the three air nozzles 25. The rate at which the solution is delivered to each of the injection nozzles I5t is determined by a valve plate I52 (Fig. '7) carried upon a. square finger I55 projecting from the upper end of the shaft III) into a centric recess I58 in the cap I36. A spring I60 is compressed between the end of the shaft lit and the bottom of the valve plate I52 so that the top of the plate is forced against the bottom of the cap I35.

As described above, the valve housing lid is fastened to the respective air nozzles 26 by means of the turnbuckles 65 and the hoses M8 so that the rotation of the turret 25 rotates the housing about the shaft IIW. Since the valve 58 as mentioned heretofore.

plate I52 is fastened to the shaft IIO, it will be evident that there is relative movement between the valve plate and the triangular recesses or ports I45. The valve plate I52 has a shape similar to that shown in Fig. 7. Approximately ninety degrees of the plate I52, designated I52. is of such diameter that the port I45 adjacent this portion is substantially fully open. The ninety de rees of the valve plate I52 designated I55 w ich is oppositely disposed the valve plate portion I52 has a greater diameter thereby partially to cover an adjacent port I45 so that the flow therethrough is reduced to approximately one fourth the flow with the port fully open. The ninety degree valve portions I54 interposed between the portions I62 and I55 are of intermediate diameter so that the flow through the ports adjacent these portions is reduced approximately one half.

The valve I65 is positioned with the valve portion I 52 bisected by a vertical plane through the axis of rotation of the turret 25 so that as each air nozzle portion 50 is in the upper part of its rotational path, its injection nozzle I50 injects a maximum amount of active chemical solution into the air stream. Similarly during the bottom portion of the rotational path a minimum of active chemical solution is injected and intermediate amounts of solution are injected in the'intermediate positions.

The position of the portions of the spray pat-.

tern of maximum and minimum injection of solution can be shifted by rotating the valve plate Itt. Such rotation is accomplished by means of a handle I65 (Fig. 1) located near one side of the operator's platform I8. One end of the handle is provided with a spring loaded pin for engaging a selected aperture in a quadrant Iiit thereby to maintain the handle in the adjusted position. The other end of the handle I55 is secured to one end of a horizontal control rod It'i which extends along the side of the frame It. The opposite end of the rod It'i is journaled in a bearing bracket I68 (Fig. 4) carried by the frame It and has fastened thereto one end of an arm I69. The opposite end of the arm I69 pivotally engages a clevis upon the lower end of a vertical control rod I'M). A second clevis upon the upper end of the rod I'Iil similarly engages an arm III (Fig. 5) which is welded to the collar I9 secured to the conduit From the above it will be evident that movement of the handle I65 (Fig. 1) rotates the conduit I58 and therefore the valve shaft lit with respect to the valve housing H8 so that the relative positions of the valve plate I52 and the ports M5 thus changing the relative position of the portions of the spray pattern of maximum and minimum injection of solution.

The nozzle I55 (Fig. 8) for injecting the solution of active chemical material into the air stream comprises a hollow stationary member I12 having a female pipe thread in one end of its central recess I'M for mating with the male threads upon the end. of the conduit Hi). The member I112 is reduced in diameter as at I15 to form a valve seat. The mating valve surface I19 is carried by a hollow movable member Ilt disposed circumjacent the portion of the stationary member I72 which is of reduced diameter. The movable member I718 is cylindrical in shape and has a hollow interior divided into two cavities I and I82 by means of a partition or wall ltd having a centrically disposed aperture through 1 1 which the end of the stationary member I12 projects. The projecting end of the stationary member I12 has a circumferential recess wherein is disposed a snap ring I88 which acts as a seat for a spring I88. The opposite end of the spring fore, the solution illls the recess I14 and passesthrough a port I82 in the wall of the conduit into the cavity III). The effective area of the cavity wall I84 is greater than the area of the opposite end of the cavity I80 carrying the valve surface I18 so that as the pressure builds up in the cavity the member I18 is moved with respect to the member I12. Such relative movement of the members I12 and I18 moves the valve surface I18 away from the seat I18 so that the solution in the cavity I88 is discharged in a conical spray in a direction contra to the direction of air flow from the correlated air discharge nozzle 28.

Another type of injection nozzle IiIla wherein the hollow outer member or body M811 is stationary and the inner member I120, is movable with respect thereto is illustrated in Fig. 9. The conical valve seat I18a is out in one end of the hollow body I18a. Thematingvalve surface |19a is carried upon the inner member "211, the valve being closed when the members HM and H841 are in the telescoped position shown in Fig. 9. The body I18a is divided into two cavities I80a and H21: by a partition I8|a having a plurality of small apertures I85 arranged about a central aperture accommodating the end of the movable member I12a. The members HM and Him are yieldably maintained in telescoped relationship by means of a spring I880, located in the cavity I82a so that one end thereof bears against the partition I84a. The opposite end of the spring I88a seats against a nut I88a engaging external threads upon the shank of the inner member I12a The end I12b of the member |12a projects beyond the threaded shank, to engage an aperture I8I in a cap I8lia which acts as a way guiding the end of the member I12a. The cap I 90a is secured to the body "8:1 by means of external threads I90b which engage mating threads upon the wall of the cavity I82a.

Fluid is introduced into the nozzle through a passageway I14ain a supporting strut I 49a whichis preferably cast integral with the body l18a. The passageway I14a connects with the cavity l82a so that fluid flows into the cavity and thence through the apertures I85 to fill the cavity I 80a. When the pressure in the cavity 180a builds up sufllciently so that the force exerted upon the member I12a exceeds the biasing force exerted upon the member by the spring I88a, the member I12a moves outwardly until the flow out of the cavity between the valve surface and seat H811 and I180. lowers the pressure within the cavity until the force resulting from the fluid pressure is in equilibrium with the spring force.

Preparatory to spraying, the tank II (Fig. l) is filled through a hatch 202 with a solution of the active chemical agent or material to be sprayed upon the foliage. The engine I2 is started and the drive for the pump and blower I8 connected thereto by means of the clutch controlled by means of the clutch lever 288. The volumeofairflowisadlustedtothedesired amount by varying the mine speed by means of a conventional throttle (not shown). The handle 88 (Fig. 2) is moved to the position regulating the convergent nozzle portions so that the conical envelope of air is directed to the required altitude to reach the top of the trees to be sprayed.

The apparatus is then towed through the orchard or along the highway so thatthe air envelope comes into contact with the foliage at which time the operator opens the valve 88 by means of the control linkage I" so that the active chemical solution is injected by the nozzles Ill into the air streams from the respective air distribution nozzles 28. The operator can also regulate the spray pattern to compensate for a head or tail wind by means of the handle III, as described heretofore, whereby it is possible to apply the most concentrated mist ahead or behind the highest point reached by the spray.

It should be understood that the present dis-v closure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims. 1

I claim:

1. Mist spraying apparatus comprising a prime mover, a blower driven by the prime mover, a turret connected to the outlet of the blower and having a plurality of air directing nozzles projecting therefrom, means for rotating the turret so that the nozzles are moved orbitally to direct.

jets of air in a path having a conical envelope, a tank for holding a supply of active chemical material in solution, a plurality of injection nozzles positioned in the respective air directing nozzles for injecting active material into the jets, a conduit having its axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the turret, means including a pump connecting one end of the conduit with the tank. a distribution valve connected to the other end of the conduit, and a plurality of flexible conduits connecting the respective injection nozzles with the valve, said valve being arranged to vary the amount of active material supplied to the injection nozzles with respect to the position of the corresponding air nozzles in their orbit.

2. Mist spraying apparatus comprising a prime mover, a blower driven by the prime mover, a turret connected to the outlet of the blower and having a plurality of air directing nozzles projecting therefrom, means for rotating the turret so that the nozzles are moved orbitally to direct jets of air in a path having a conical envelope, a tank for holding a supply of active chemical material in solution. a plurality of injection nozzles positioned in the respective air directing nozzles for injecting active material into the lets, a conduit having its axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the turret, means including a pump connecting one end of the conduit with the tank, a distribution valve connected to the other end of the conduit, a plurality of flexible conduits connecting the respective injection nozzles with the valve, said valve being arranged to vary the amount of active material supplied to the injection nozzles with respect to the position of the corresponding air nozzles in their orbit, and means for rotating the conduit and connected distribution valve thereby to vary the distribution pattern of the active material.

3. Mist spraying apparatus comprising a prime mover, a blower driven by the prime mover, a

13 turret connected to the outlet or the blower and having a plurality of air directing nozzles projecting therefrom, each of said nozzles having a yleldable portion, means for rotating the turret so that the nozzles are moved orbitally to direct jets of air in a path having a conical envelope, a tank for holding a supply of active chemical 14 a tank for holding a supply of active chemical material in solution, a prime mover, a blower driven by the prime mover, a turret connected to the outlet of the blower and having a plurality 01 air directing nozzles projecting therefrom on the side of the vehicle so as to face the objects to be sprayed, means for rotating the turret so that material in solution, a plurality of injection noztion valve andthe respective ends of said air directing nozzles, and means for axially moving the conduit and the connected distribution valve to change the effective diameter of the orbit of said air distribution nozzles thereby to change.

the apex angle conical envelope.

4. Mist spraying apparatus comprising a turret having a plurality of air directing nozzles projecting therefrom, means for rotating the turret so that the nozzles are moved orbitally to direct jets of air in a conical-like path, a plurality of injection nozzles positioned in the air directing nozzles for injecting material into the jets, a conduit having its axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the turret for supplying material to said injection nozzles, a distribution valve conneeting said conduit to said injection nozzles to vary the amount of active material supplied to the injection nozzles with respect to the position of the corresponding air nozzles in their orbit and means connected to said distribution valve by said conduit to change the effective diameter of the orbit of said air distribution nozzles by changing the apex angle of said conical path.

5. A mist spraying apparatus for objects such as trees, vines and crops, comprising in combination a vehicle adapted to move along the side of the objects to be sprayed, said vehicle carrying 2o rality of links extending between the distributhe nozzles are moved orbitally to direct jets of air in a pathhavinga conical envelope, means for changing the angularity of the nozzles relative to each other so as to adjust the conical angle of the envelope to give various degrees or dispersion, a plurality of injection nozzles positioned in the respective air directing nozzles for injecting" active chemical material into the jets of air, a pump for supplying said material to the nozzles, a conduit between the pump and the nozzles, a distribution valve between the conduit and the nozzles, said distribution valve being arranged to reduce the amount of active chemical material supplied to the injection nozzles during the lower parts of their orbits and relatively increase the amount for the upper parts of their orbits so as to diminish the amount of active chemical material thrown near the ground and increase the amount thrown up in the air so as to tend to equalize the efiectiveness of the chemical on the obj ects from above and below.

- References Cited in the file of this patent r UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 422,458 Stiebel Mar. 4, 1890 1,224,560 Needham et a1 May 1, 1917 1,953,311 Pelk Apr. 3, 1934 1,996,159 Kittredge Apr. 2, 1935 2,373,553 Folke Apr. 10, 1945 2,374,955 Raper May 1, 1945 2,429,374 Shade Oct. 21, 1947 2,459,244 Sellars 'Jan. 18, 1949 2,476,960 Daugherty July 26, 1949 2,511,969 Chapin Jan. 20, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 328,707 Great Britain May 8, 1930 679,295 Great Britain Sept. 17, 1952 

